Vigil for Baltimore rapper Smash scheduled for Wednesday night

UPDATE (Feb. 23, 4:42 p.m.): Terrel Dishon Taylor, aka Smash, was discovered dead due to congestive heart failure in his Baltimore home 5:30 p.m. Friday, according to a family press release.

Funeral arrangements are not yet set, but there will be a vigil on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at City of Gods (1118 Hollins St.) from 6-10 p.m.

Donations to the family can be mailed to 8420 Governance Bradford Lane, Ellicott City, Md. 21043.

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Baltimore rapper Smash, born Terrel Taylor and also known as T-Mac, died Friday due to heart failure, according to his aunt, Arlette Thomas-Fletcher and long-time manager Swen Brock. According Thomas-Fletcher, Taylor — who grew up in Ellicott City and lived in Baltimore — had a genetic heart condition. She did not know the medical term for it. Taylor, a father to two sons and a daughter, was 31.

All night Friday and today, the Baltimore hip-hop community and beyond have tweeted condolences for the MC. #RipSmash is currently trending in the area.

Smash's song "A Bit Too Much For Me," featuring Yung C, was a local hit in 2008. His most recent single was "Choppa on My Lap." Smash, with his gravelly voice and hard-nosed delivery, was a staple of the Baltimore rap scene, but he also worked with artists outside of the city. Last year, he was featured on "Goons," a song with Duct Tape Entertainment's Alley Boy. [Note: Links lead to songs with explicit language.] The Atlanta rapper wrote on Twitter, "RIP TO MY BRO #SMASH."

A significant portion of the Baltimore music community has expressed shocked over his death online. They are not at a loss for words: Vernon Kelson, the 92Q on-air personality, wrote a tribute on his Urban Informer blog.

A press biography on Smash's Facebook page ends with a quote. "I always believed in being yourself in life will get you somewhere. I’ve always been myself and I’ve always been respected for that.”

Funeral services have not been arranged yet, but details will be released early next week, according to Thomas-Fletcher.